Another excerpt from a classic children's book

In this scene Asil realizes just how seriously superstitions are taken West of Noreaso:

The Cemetery

Another few hours of walking revealed a curious structure. In front of them stood a gate, as tall as it was wide, towering above them as a warning. Made of iron it twisted itself into the night sky much like a climbing vine. Elijah had not yet himself been through these parts and found what the group had come upon to be quite a serious problem. "Hold your breath children, we’re approaching a cemetery!"

Perhaps because Ekim was tired, he was more than a little perturbed by the sheep’s latest warning. "That’s a new one. Why on earth would we do that Elijah?"

Asil was scared at the idea of crossing through a graveyard alone, let alone hearing there were more precautions to take. "I don’t think I can hold my breath that long!"

Abraham approached the children and with a grave expression said. "You must try child."

The cemetery in question covered a large expanse of land and seemed to go on forever. The scent of fresh dirt permeated the air making it all the more difficult to catch one’s breath, never mind hold it! Elijah wasn’t taking any chances, though and made a choice. "We will run past it. If you can hold your breath for just a few seconds, we should be able to traverse the distance safely."

Ekim took his little sister’s hand in his. "And if we fail?"

Joseph looked upon the children with an equally grave expression. "Oh – do not say that boy, you mustn’t fail. To breath in the air of the dead is to invite death. Not even a found penny with the face up will help you then, and we all know how rare a thing that is."

Convinced and terrified, the children each took large sucking breaths until their lungs were filled to capacity. Holding their hands to their mouths, they sprinted off after the sheep across the rolling green meadow, dodging ancient grave markers along the way.

But suddenly, slipping on the freshly manicured lawn, Asil fell flat on her face and the very breath she so desperately held escaped her. As is automatic after one exhales, Asil, to her great horror, inhaled! Of course, breathing normally is a good thing, considering the alternative was suffocation, however, as they had been warned, in this place, breathing was just about the worst thing anyone could do. Ekim had turned to see his sister fall and watched helplessly as she took a breath. He doubled back and scooped her up, carrying her the remainder of the way. All the while her chest convulsed, as she tried desperately not to take in any more of the stale air. Passing the last tombstone, they fell to their knees pulling in one mighty breath after another.
"She breathed in!" shouted Ekim through panicked breaths.

"Oh no!" exclaimed Abraham.

"Oh no!" Repeated Joseph

"Then she will surely die…" said Elijah shaking his head slowly.

Asil went white with fear. "I don’t want to die Ekim!" Tears welled up in her eyes, as large as saucers, and she was unable to contain them. She let them out in violent sobs.

"You’re not going to die Asil," stated her brother defiantly.

"She will die child." said Joseph very matter of fact.

"Stop saying that," shouted Ekim. Turning back to his sister he spoke to her with great calm.

"It’s just a silly superstition, Asil, you see? You’re not dead. It didn’t kill you to
breathe in there." Rubbing her cheeks, she saw the logic in Ekim’s argument. "That’s true…"

"The effect is rarely immediate children…"

"If we can get her home within 24 hours then this stroke of bad luck should stay in this world, and not pass into your own." Elijah remained calm in offering his solution.

"Then we need to pick up the pace!" declared Ekim. With that the group gathered their wits and began trekking towards their final destination.